Hugs and handshakes after a shared moment of silence…
ABC7 News San Francisco, June 1, 2020
Benicia police officers took a knee as the crowd held a moment of silence for George Floyd. They then shook hands with some of the protesters.
BENICIA, Calif. (KGO) — Residents in Benicia held a peaceful protest on Sunday.
Officers took a knee as the crowd held a moment of silence for George Floyd. They then shook hands with some of the protesters.
Youth Against Violence rally, march, and then confront Benicia Police, who join them in respect and solidarity
Three videos tell the story…
Video by Dr. Teresa Van Woy
The youth of Benicia California gather for a peaceful march following the death of George Floyd. A peaceful gathering at the gazebo followed by a march down First Street, ended up at the Benicia Police Station where officers took a knee to the protesters.
Video by Elijah Harris
On May 31, Benicia youth and supporting adults protested police violence against unarmed Black citizens, following the brutal murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. After a large rally at City Park, 300 or more protesters marched peacefully down First Street, rallied some more at Marina Green, and then marched to Benicia’s Police Station. When protesters took a knee, some of Benicia’s police joined them. Eventually all the officers joined on a knee and everyone took a moment of silence. Thank you, Benicia Police! Thank you Benicia youth!
Hundreds of Voices of Anger, Impatience and Hopeful, Peaceful Protest
Benicia’s Youth Against Brutality rally, City Park, May 31, 2020, 11AM. Photo: Roger Straw
Unofficial estimates put the crowd at Benicia’s Youth Against Brutality rally at over 300.
One of the high school organizers welcomed everyone and began with a recording of Sam Cook’s 1964 soul anthem, “A Change Is Gonna Come.”
It’s been a long time, a long time coming But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will It’s been too hard living, but I’m afraid to die ‘Cause I don’t know what’s up there, beyond the sky It’s been a long, a long time coming But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will I go to the movie and I go downtown Somebody keep tellin’ me don’t hang around It’s been a long, a long time coming But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will…
The crowd assembled in masks and mostly maintained social distancing of 6 feet.
This reporter wasn’t able to get names of all the young speakers, but every one was moving and articulate. The crowd was with them all the way, clapping, raising signs, and whooping from under their masks.
After the mic was opened for a short time to anyone who wanted to speak, the speakers and organizers led the crowd peacefully down sidewalks on First Street to Marina Green.
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